Schools autonomy scheme working: report

Schools getting extra money to pursue special projects under a federal government program are so far delivering the goods.

The program lets schools makes autonomous decisions about how best to use the money to address four goals, such as engaging parents and improving student achievements in areas like maths.

So far, the schools have been successful because they had the ability to spend the money how they wanted, the author of a progress report on the program says.

"Instead of having to fragment their already limited resources in a variety of different areas, they were able to focus on what they were doing well already and to make that better," Dr Robert Simons told AAP.

"That's part of the genius of it."

Dr Simons pointed to the success of a regional Queensland school in re-engaging indigenous students who'd dropped out.

"That was brilliant because the model can be shared with others," he said.